Real Estate, Exercise & Foods

10 Thanksgiving Tips from the Pros Themselves!

Thanksgiving is going to be here before you know it. If you’re like me, you’ve already started making your dinner and guest list and going over it three times to make sure you didn’t miss a single ingredient. While it’s still early in your holiday planning, here are some tips and tricks I’ve gathered from the Food Networks pros that could help you along the way.

1. Start three days out with dicing your onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Keep them in Ziploc bags or in airtight containers.Michael Cimarusti

2. Make sure all of your side dishes are done the day before. That’s right, you heard it here: They all should be done. There is no reason to stress about cooking the big meal!

3. Serve a couple of dishes that you know how to make just in case you mess up the turkey. That way, you will still have something good to eat.

4. Create a delicious holiday aroma throughout your home by boiling a pot of water with orange rind, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise and whole cloves.

6. Before you roast the bird, insert several metal skewers into each turkey thigh. They direct heat to the thighs more efficiently, and the faster the thighs cook, the less time the breast has to dry out.

7. Don’t try to serve the entire meal hot—you usually don’t have enough space or burners. One of my favorite dishes is a green bean salad that you can serve at room temperature.

9. Plan ahead for leftovers. Organize and empty your refrigerator before the feast starts so you don’t waste time trying to jam in the leftovers after the meal. Have plenty of tin foil and containers on hand.

10. Make a list of all the things for which you are thankful.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family. I hope you found these tips helpful and they help to make your Thanksgiving a fantastic one.